Stamping out big money in politics

“It’s a petition on steroids.” That’s the way Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, describes the Stamp Stampede — his guerrilla marketing campaign that uses money to get money out of politics. Literally.

Almost three years after the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which opened the door to super PACs and unlimited corporate election spending on elections, advocacy groups like Public Campaign, Public Citizen and People for the American Way helped pass ballot referendums in two states and resolutions through nine state legislatures, calling for a constitutional amendment to nullify Citizens United. More than 400 municipalities have joined these states and about 150 members of Congress support at least one amendment proposal.

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But as Steven Spielberg’s movie about Abraham Lincoln reminds us, it’s not easy to amend the Constitution. Straightforward, advocacy organizing strategies are important, but they may not be enough to change the status quo. That is where Stampede comes in.

Ben Cohen is no Lincoln, but he is a gifted marketing entrepreneur and his open source Stampede marketing campaign may become the new model for how to fuse social media and grass-roots activism with the assets of existing organizations to engage and provoke the public in demanding change. Here is how it works: People buy inexpensive stamps at an online store with message like, “Not to be used for bribing politicians” and “The system isn’t broken, it’s fixed.” They stamp these messages on the money they use everyday. Then, they go about their daily routine, spending money on groceries, gas, movies — you name it — and spreading the message about too much money in politics.

The Stampede has the advantage of viral marketing: It’s easy, replicable, engaging and audience driven. The campaign goes one step beyond Marshall McLuhan’s famous adage, “the medium is the message.” In the Stampede, money is the message and the medium. As stamped currency circulates through the economy, the message spreads. More people stamp. More money circulates. A Stampede to get money out of politics ensues.

Readers' Comments (2)

I've been stamping for nearly six months now, and it's great. Maybe some of the wonkier folks don't get it, but regular folks are fascinated to learn that this is legal, and everyone who has ever responded to my stamped bills said they agree with the message of one person = one vote, not one dollar = one vote.

Great article! "Monetary jiu-jitsu" and "petition on steroids" are great ways to describe this campaign, too. Another great idea from Ben Cohen! I might go buy some Ben and Jerry's with STAMPED money! Now THAT is two birds with one stone...